The major news this week continues to focus on Iran. More specifically, regarding the peace talks and the cease-fire that broke down rather quickly, despite President Trump’s claim that everything was going according to his plan and timetable.
JD Vance was even preparing to fly to Pakistan to lead a delegation for further peace talks with Iran, at least until they realized Iran was serious about not pursuing peace talks or maintaining a cease-fire in this pointless war.
Pres. Trump has already flip-flopped numerous times in recent weeks on the state of Iran’s current leadership. To make matters worse, the president is hell-bent on firing our own military leadership who disagree with him and Pete Hegseth on how to handle the Iran war and their abuse of power. It seems like his Iran war has set the world on fire both abroad and at home:
- Deception
- Greed
- Violence
- Pride
The Bible is clear that in the last days God’s people will become corrupt and put their hope into whatever makes them happy (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Peter 3:3-4). We are forewarned about how this fallen world will become a hotbed for chaos and evil (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12:12).
Scripture is clear that this world is not God’s Kingdom (John 18:36, Hebrews 13:14, 1 John 5:19). That is why it is foolish for God’s people to put their hope into silly, temporary things of this world that will not last.
We are foreigners in a temporary kingdom that America is only a small part of. God’s people must focus on eternity and what lasts instead of the temporary pleasures of this fallen kingdom (Ecclesiastes 3:11, 2 Corinthians 4:18).
What Is Temporary
The temporary things of life do not last and can only bring short-term satisfaction. When I was younger, I foolishly put my hope into the temporary things that this world offered me to make me happy.
If you’re like me, you know that temporary happiness doesn’t last and often comes with baggage that we carry throughout the rest of our lives.
Temporary is defined as “Lasting for a limited time: seasonal.” Things of this world are temporary. Temporary is easy to come by, but what lasts is harder and requires commitment.
The world focuses on temporary pleasure and earthly greatness instead of the eternal or spiritual (Psalm 49:16-17, Proverbs 11:28, Luke 12:15).
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about the temporary things of life (James 4:13-15, 2 Peter 3:11). When we were in the world, our flesh caused us to focus on the temporary, but in Christ we listen to the Spirit (Romans 8:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:-17).
Those who focus on the flesh and what is temporary cannot understand the things of the Spirit and what ultimately lasts (Romans 8:5-8, 1 Corinthians 2:14). The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about what is temporary and what lasts.
Zᵊmān
The Torah describes how God created a garden, and it was a perfect paradise where everything was good (Genesis 1:31; 2:8-9). At least until man wanted more than what God had already given him and chased earthly greatness (Genesis 3:1-7).
After the fall, sin and death entered the perfect paradise and corrupted it (Genesis 3:8-11). Ever since, this world has become a fallen and temporary kingdom because death has entered paradise (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
One of the Hebrew words in the Old Testament for temporary is zᵊmānand it can also mean, “Season, time, or a set time,” depending upon the context it is used in.
King Solomon, in his wisdom, noted that there are temporary times for everything in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). That is why Judaism teaches that this life is temporary and we must prepare for eternity (Psalm 39:4-5; 90:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14):
Jesus reminded His followers not to put their hope into this temporary world, but to look to heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Our Lord made it clear that this world is not His Kingdom (John 17:14-16; 18:36).
He promised the thief on the cross that he would be in a perfect paradise after they left this temporary life (Luke 23:42-43).
Weather
In other big news this week, the US has been ravaged by severe weather from coast-to-coast. The Southeast, where I live, is experiencing a record drought and numerous wildfires. The Midwest and the Plains have been tormented by tornadoes and flash flooding.
We know that severe weather is a natural part of the changing seasons, but never this extreme. Jesus and Scripture say we would see the signs of the end of this temporary kingdom clearly (Matthew 24:3-14, Luke 21:7-19):
- Extreme weather
- Wars
- False religion
- False prophets
For over 2000 years, God’s people have been told this world is temporary and will not last (2 Peter 3:10-13, 1 John 2:17, Revelation 21:1). That is why it is foolish to put our hope in ourselves or whatever this world has to offer us (Psalm 146:3-5, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Timothy 6:17).
We cannot trust the lifeless things and gods of this temporary age (Habakkuk 2:18-20, Acts 17:29, 1 John 5:21). As we mature, we put our hope in the eternal things that last, not childish things of this temporary world (1 Corinthians 13:11, Hebrews 12:1-2). MAGA Christians and President Trump do not care about eternity, because they are obsessed with the zᵊmān!
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